RootsChat.Com
General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: joanieb on Sunday 11 November 12 18:57 GMT (UK)
-
Hello
My Great Uncle enlisted in the First World War in 1915, aged 20 years of age. His name was Walter Charles Price and he was with the Royal Regt of Artillery. I have discovered his attestation on Ancestry website. His regiment number was 213124.
I am trying to work out where he was in service. It looks like that he was discharged at some point (probably before the end of WW1) and spent the rest of his life in Talgarth Mental Hospital (which no longer exists). I believe he was a victim of shell shock and was seen, sad to admit this, as a coward. Walter died in 1935 of complications involving septicaemia. He was awarded 'Pip and Squeak' medals and I did have a picture him, unfortunately these are no longer in my possession.
I would also like to know where he is burried so I can go and pay my respects.
Many thanks....
-
Walter Charles Price of Nupend near Stonehouse Gloucestershire died 20th Jan 1835. Administration 4th April to Caroline Price Widow. Effects £87
St Michael & All Angels, Eastington would appear to be the nearest church. Have a look at http://www.achurchnearyou.com/parishfinder.php?nupend
You will probably need to contact the Gloucestershier Archives (hopefully) for further information http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/archives/article/107703/Archives-Homepage
rgds
Edward
-
According to his service record on Ancestry, he was posted to France in June 1917 and was there until Jan 1919, when he returned and was demobbed. He was sent his medals at his home address in 1921 and there's a record of his records being requested/transferred in 1925, to the pensions department. so i would suggest the breakdown came sometime after his return
-
The Walter C Price of Nupend is probably the father of Walter Charles Price, 90352 RFA as his next of kin were his parents Walter Charles and Caroline Kitty Price of Nupend. Wheatenhurst RD covers Eastington.
Phil
-
Thank you so much for your replies. I have now my enthusiasm back and well into it.
Can anyone tell me now can I access Walter's medical records when he was a patient at Talgarth Mental HospitalAccording to his service record on Ancestry, he was posted to France in June 1917 and was there until Jan 1919, when he returned and was demobbed. He was sent his medals at his home address in 1921 and there's a record of his records being requested/transferred in 1925, to the pensions department. so i would suggest the breakdown came sometime after his return
Thank you very much. This was so useful and helped me to make a real development and trying to understand what happened to Walter.
-
there is a Roots Chat thread all about this hospital
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,12515.10.html
you might get more info from there
Bowman
-
This is the Hospital Records Database page for Talgarth:
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0s6m/
It doesn't look like any patient records have survived, certainly not at the local CRO. They are subject to the 75 or 100 Year Rule in any case.
I've only had a quick look at the obvious source. To dig deeper, see this NA guide:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/mental-health.htm
Phil
Edit: Bowman's link to the other thread shows records have survived.
-
If you would like to know what your great uncle went through during the war, look up the September posting on the http://www.westernfrontassociation.com/ Western Front Asssociation's website. I posted my grandfather's journal entries. He served in the RFA and fought in several battles from 1914-1915. You'll be able to understand how many suffered from shell-shock.
The Great Promise is based upon the journal and a promise that was made between four friends before the Battle of Mons. Attached is a picture of my grandfather (the one kneeling) that was taken in 1909. Good luck with your research - I know what you're going through.